Promotores/CHWs and community engagement

Promotores, or Community Health Workers, are a key conduit for health information and education within their communities. This is especially true in the primarily Hispanic communities along the Texas-Mexico border, where there typically is a gap between the traditional health provider system and the members of those communities. During the past four years , the USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness has been consistently providing training opportunities for Promotores along the Texas-Mexico border. Program evaluation efforts indicate that approximately half of participants are not comfortable presenting what they learned to their communities. In response, the USA Center adapted a methodology used with other audiencesto encourage Promotores to effectively engage their communities in preparedness and health issues. The resulting 2.5 hour training included techniques for identifying stakeholders, guidelines for facilitating a discussion, and tools to create an action plan. This training was first delivered in McAllen, Texas, in January of 2009, with plans for additional deliveries throughout the summer and fall. The content and techniques contained in this training can be easily adapted for use with other groups of Community Health Workers, as well. Building the capacity of these groups is essential to ensure the health and preparedness of every community.